The world of college football is mourning one of its own today, as multiple reports have confirmed that Dana Dimel, a longtime coach at Kansas State, died at the age of 62 on Tuesday.
Dimel was serving as a senior offensive assistant with Illinois in 2024, and had previously served as the head coach at UTEP from 2018-23.
He was most well-known for his time at K-State, though, serving in multiple roles under Bill Snyder from 1987 to 1996 and again from 2009 to 2017.
Dimel had two stints as the Wildcats’ offensive coordinator, first in 1995-96, and again from 2009-17.
Snyder, his longtime mentor and friend, spoke about Dimel’s loss in a statement on Tuesday.
“Obviously, we are very saddened by the passing of Dana,” Snyder said. “He was a special friend and coaching companion. I admired his passion for helping his players and fellow coaches. He was a big part of the development of the Kansas State football program, and along with his wife Julie, very meaningful in the Manhattan community.”
Overall, Dimel was a part of 12 bowl teams in 19 seasons in Manhattan. The Wildcats posted an 11-win season (2012) with a Big 12 Championship, two 10-win campaigns (1995 and 2011) and five nine-win seasons (1993, 1994, 1996, 2014, and 2016) during that span, and finished in the top-25 of the BCS and CFP rankings on three occasions – 2011 (No. 8 BCS), 2012 (No. 5 BCS), and 2014 (No. 11 CFP).
In addition to his time at K-State and UTEP, Dimel served as a head coach with Wyoming from 1997-99 and then at Houston from 2000-02.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Dimel family during this difficult time,” K-State head coach Chris Klieman said. “Dana not only had a big impact on K-State Football but more importantly the lives of the players, coaches and staff he interacted with daily – some of which are still in our program today.”
